Underworld: Evolution

After the black-clad death-dealer Selene (Kate Beckinsale) kills the sire of her vampire clan, Viktor (Bill Nighy), she and Michael (Scott Speedman), her hybrid lycan/vampire boyfriend, are on the run, attempting to expose the secret of their bloodlines, the knowledge of which could change everything. What that means, exactly, is never really explained in "Underworld: Evolution," but that doesn't stop the forward movement of the plot, at least so far as action sequences are concerned.

Unfortunately, Selene and Mike will have to face the powerful vampire Marcus (Tony Curran), whom Selene once dispatched but who has now risen again. Such is the habit of vampires, and, apparently, vampire movies.

Just how much of the 105-minute running time of "Underworld: Evolution," the sequel to the titular 2003 film, is actually a new movie is debatable since a good deal is told in flashback. The original movie pits vampires against werewolves in war that's been raging for centuries and has come down to one werewolf (Speedman) and the vampire with whom he falls in love. This is an interesting twist but that's because it's taken right from Romeo and Juliet and the Bard was a good writer. Most of "Evolution" is taken from "King Lear" and "Richard the III," also written by Shakespeare, only without the werewolves and vampires. In any case, fans will not care about any of that. They will like this movie because it's big, noisy, stylish, cool and sexy. Such is the habit of vampire movie fans. Starring Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Tony Curran, Derek Jacobi, Bill Nighy, Steven Mackintosh and Shane Brolly. Directed by Len Wiseman. Written by Danny McBride. Produced by Gary Lucchesi, Tom Rosenberg and Richard S. Wright. A Screen Gems release. Action/Fantasy/Horror. Rated R for pervasive strong violence and gore, some sexuality/nudity and language. Running time: 105 min